Bait and Beam: Grebnedlog Lures Geordi
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Grebnedlog finally engages with the mantra “We look for things,” and Riker clocks that the issues exceed minor repairs. The Pakleds’ childlike phrasing masks a murkier agenda, nudging Riker toward caution.
Riker offers a tractor-beam tow to a base, but Grebnedlog dismisses it and pushes to keep Geordi working, turning aid into a tug-of-war over the engineer. Stakes tighten as Riker asserts the need to bring his chief back.
Power surges back on the Mondor and Geordi emerges from the panel; Grebnedlog crows “He is smart,” and Riker pounces, ordering Geordi to prepare for transport. Relief edges in as the crew moves to extract their engineer.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Coolly detached professionalism; a steadying presence amid rising tension.
Data assesses the Pakled ship's condition, offers a calm technical reading ('fragile'), supports Riker's situational framing, and remains an analytical reference point for tactical decisions.
- • Provide accurate technical assessment of Mondor to inform command decisions.
- • Support bridge command with sensor data and operational options.
- • Sensor data and engineering facts should guide risk assessment.
- • The Pakled ship's fragility increases the risk to any crew remaining aboard it.
Cautious resolve—expectant for threat and impatience with any diplomatic softness that could endanger crew.
Worf remains at tactical, visibly ready and cautious; he provides a security-focused presence, implicitly prepared to escalate if deception becomes violent.
- • Ensure the safety of Enterprise personnel during any transport or towing operation.
- • Be prepared to respond with force if the Pakleds' behavior becomes hostile.
- • Appearances of helplessness may mask tactical threats.
- • Proactive security posture is necessary when civilians are taken aboard another vessel.
Frustrated urgency—publicly controlled command masking concern for his crew and impatience with perceived delay.
Riker paces toward the viewscreen, vocally reiterates his authority, presses for retrieval of Chief Engineer La Forge, and issues a direct operational order to prepare transport and use the tractor beam.
- • Recover Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge and return him to the Enterprise.
- • Resolve the Pakleds' deceptive delay without endangering further crew or resources.
- • Pakleds are not to be trusted with indefinite access to Enterprise personnel.
- • The safest path is to remove the engineer from the potentially exploitative environment as soon as possible.
Worried and insistent below the surface—sensing deception and the potential emotional cost to a crewmember.
Troi watches the viewscreen, reads the Pakleds' affect as performative, and conveys concern that Geordi faces psychological/manipulative danger, tightening the bridge's emotional awareness.
- • Highlight emotional/cognitive danger posed to Geordi and influence command to act cautiously.
- • Protect crew welfare by ensuring command considers empathic data along with technical readings.
- • The Pakleds' simple language may conceal manipulative intent.
- • Emotional readings are operationally relevant and should factor into tactical choices.
Relief mixed with professional focus—briefly cooperative and practical, but implicitly vulnerable due to isolation aboard the Mondor.
Geordi is shown in the distant background finishing repairs at a scorched console; he reports completion, surfaces beside the Pakled spokesperson and signals readiness to return as lights come up on the Mondor.
- • Complete the required repairs to the Mondor so the situation can be resolved.
- • Communicate status back to the Enterprise to facilitate his return and crew safety.
- • Finishing repairs is the immediate priority for crew safety and mission duty.
- • Cooperating outwardly is the pragmatic choice while he is isolated from his ship.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The forward viewscreen is the primary communication and observation interface: it frames the Pakleds and Mondor, conveys live visual cues (Geordi at the console, Grebnedlog's disinterest), and allows Riker to issue commands and judge the Pakleds' behavior.
The Mondor's battered console panel is where Geordi works to restore power; its repaired state (sparks and scorched hatch to functional lights) provides the narrative catalyst—power restoration—that flips the scene from delay to imminent movement.
The Enterprise tractor beam is invoked as the tactical/engineering mechanism Riker plans to use to tow the Mondor to the nearest base; its mention transitions the crew from passive aid to authoritative control of the Pakled ship's movement.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Enterprise main bridge functions as the operational nerve center where authority is exercised: Riker, Data, Worf and Troi confer, consult the viewscreen, and make binding decisions (tractor, transport). The bridge's layout concentrates decision-making and highlights the distance between the ship and an isolated crewmember.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Riker’s failed attempt to tow them to a base escalates the tug-of-war over Geordi, culminating in the Pakleds stunning him."
"Riker’s failed attempt to tow them to a base escalates the tug-of-war over Geordi, culminating in the Pakleds stunning him."
Key Dialogue
"GREBNEDLOG: "We look for things.""
"RIKER: "We will use our tractor beam to tow you to your nearest base.""
"GEORDI: "All done, Commander.""